British Columbia 07/04/13 edmontonjournal.com: by Tiffany Crawford, Vancouver Sun – Conservation officers in Fernie are searching for a wounded mother grizzly bear after two men were attacked Wednesday morning on the ridge of Proctor Mountain. Sgt. Joe Caravetta, a B.C. conservation officer, said two men in their mid-30s from Fernie were walking on a popular hiking and mountain biking trail between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. when they encountered a sow and her cub. He said the sow became “very defensive” of her cub and attacked one of the men and pushed him about six metres down the steep trail near the peak of the mountain. The man used his bear spray and the grizzly retreated, said Caravetta. The sow then went after the other hiker and knocked him to the ground before chewing on his arms and upper body. Caravetta said the hiker pulled out his gun and shot the bear at close range. The wounded animal ran away with her cub. The men administered their own first-aid from supplies they were carrying in their packs.

Limping with wounds to their legs, arms and bodies, the two men made their way back down the mountain and to Elk Valley Hospital. One man was treated at Elk Valley and released, while the other was taken to Lethbridge Hospital in Alberta with non-life-threatening injuries. He was also released early Thursday morning, said Caravetta. Conservation officers don’t know how badly hurt the bear is or whether it died, but will try and locate the bear today. Caravetta said they may have to kill the bear if it is in pain. “If it’s suffering we will put it out of its misery. We don’t want an animal to suffer,” he said. The attack was defensive and not predatory, said Caravetta, adding that the hikers were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Fairy Creek recreation trail has been closed as a precaution while conservation officers investigate. – For complete article see http://www.edmontonjournal.com/travel/Mother+grizzly+bear+attacks+hikers+near+Fernie/8616349/story.html

Influenza (H3N2v):

National 07/05/13 cdc.gov: Health Advisory – The first cases of influenza A (H3N2) variant (H3N2v) virus infection this year were reported in June 2013. These cases were associated with exposure to swine at an agricultural fair prior to illness onset. Agricultural fairs take place across the United States every year, primarily during the summer months and into early fall. Many fairs have swine barns, where pigs from different places come in close contact with each other and with people. These venues may allow spread of influenza viruses both among pigs and between pigs and people. Persons who are at high risk for influenza complications should avoid exposure to pigs and swine barns at fairs this year. – For complete advisory see http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00351.as

Missouri 07/03/13 Wayne County: So far, 19 rabid animals have been detected in the southeast area (14 skunks, one horse, one cat, three dogs) versus only three rabid animals (all bats) in the rest of the state. Although the total number of rabid animals seen in southeastern Missouri is above average, the alarming aspect is the number of these animals that are domestic. This is quite unusual for Missouri and most likely indicates a sustained, higher-than-normal level of rabies activity in animals that naturally harbor and transmit this virus, which in this part of Missouri is primarily skunks. – See http://www.waynecojournalbanner.com/news/article_c3f82f04-e3ed-11e2-bd6f-0019bb30f31a.html

Vermont 07/03/13 Washington County: Eleven people, including six children, and several pets are being treated for potential exposure to the rabies virus after a baby skunk was rescued from the side of a road in Barre. The only way to rescue a wild animal is to make sure it is handled properly (with gloves and placed into a box) and brought to a state wildlife rehabilitator. For guidance on what to do if you find a wild animal (such as a baby animal that appears to have been abandoned by its mother), contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (802-241-3700. Once the animals are taken in as pets and improperly handled, and people are either bitten or exposed to saliva, the potential for rabies requires that the animal is tested for the disease. Animal testing for rabies involves killing the animal and testing a sample of its brain tissue. Without treatment, rabies is a fatal disease for humans and animals. – See http://vtdigger.org/2013/07/03/health-department-11-people-exposed-to-rabid-skunk/

Jerry Genesio

Author of "UNSEEN HAZARDS That Threaten Hunters, Campers, and Hikers: What you should know about pathogens commonly found in wildlife."

This is where wildlife and healthcare professionals, hunters, campers, hikers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will find interesting information about natural unseen hazards that place them at risk. As my book focused exclusively on Rabies, Tetanus (Lockjaw), Tularemia (Rabbit Fever), Brucellosis (Undulant Fever), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Borrelia (Lyme Disease), posts regarding these six diseases will be limited to more recent developments and items of interest that were not included or were not available when the book was published in June of 2009. Topics will also include Chronic Wasting Disease, West Nile Virus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and other diseases of particular interest to those who work and play in the great American outdoors.

Don’t Be Afraid – Be Aware!

The Natural Unseen Hazards blog is available to all free of charge and is maintained as a public service.

If you have questions related to pathogens commonly found in wildlife, e.g. the disease caused by a specific pathogen, hosts, vectors, symptoms, treatment, territorial range, etc., please comment here or e-mail to jerrygenesio@gmail.com and I will attempt to provide answers.

"Chance favors the prepared mind."
Louis Pasteur

Unless otherwise noted, images have been provided by the CDC Public Health Image Library, Wikimedia Commons, the National Park Service or other government agencies, Bing.com, and/or Google.com.

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
Marie Curie

"It's better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret."
Jackie Joyner Kersee